What 2 Watch 4: 2023 WVU Spring Game

A few things to keep your eyes on during Saturday's scrimmage.

Saturday will mark the end of spring football in Morgantown, but it will also be the first time West Virginia fans get a glimpse at the 2023 version of their Mountaineers. Head coach Neal Brown stated earlier in the week that they won't do a ton of scrimmaging to avoid injuries and to not show their hand to Penn State but they will do some. 

So, what should fans watch for during the scrimmage period(s)? 

Quarterback battle...duh

This is what everyone will have their eyes on and rightfully so. This season will mark the first time that Neal Brown has elected to go with a quarterback that came out of high school and developed in the system versus bringing in a transfer. Getting this decision right will be crucial for not only the team's success in 2023 but Neal Brown's future in Morgantown. Garrett Greene has the edge in experience but many believe Nicco Marchiol has a higher ceiling. A starter won't be named at the conclusion of spring ball but this will certainly be a part of the decision-making process.

Is the secondary any better?

More help is on the way thanks to the staff landing Minnesota transfer Beanie Bishop and potentially one or two other transfers. But how does the back end of the defense look as currently constructed? Cornerback is a real concern but not because of talent. Andrew Wilson-Lamp and Jacolby Spells have all the traits, it's just the experience that they lack. Last year, WVU played a number of guys at various spots and just couldn't seem to get the right mix of guys on the field. Poor communication, busted coverages, and sloppy tackling led to a pass defense that finished 111th in the country.

How many WRs can they count on?

West Virginia lost its top four receivers either to the NFL Draft or transfer portal. This means a lot of new faces are going to have to step up i.e. Devin Carter, Ja'Shaun Poke. But it can't just be the transfers. It's time for Jeremiah Aaron and Cortez Braham to become impact players. We know Neal Brown has mentioned adding another receiver in the portal after spring ball comes to an end but why so? Is it just for depth purposes? Or does he fear they don't have enough consistency at the position? We'll get a peek at that on Saturday.

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